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In reply to the discussion: Does Everyone Else Ask Permission to Pet a Stranger's Dog? [View all]retread
(3,762 posts)24. From Petmd:
https://www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/evr_dg_the-best-places-to-pet-your-dog
"How to Pet a Dog
If you are approaching a dog you don't know, avoid hand movements that could look threatening. Commonly, people reach for the top of a dog's head, however, this can seem threatening to the dog because your hand is reaching over the dog's eyes. Petting a dog on the chin or chest is not nearly as threatening, Klein said.
Also, as a safety measure with a strange dog, if you put your fingers behind its jawbone, the dog can't turn and bite as easily. You also should approach the dog with the back of your hand and him sniff it, Klein said. 'You can't grab [a dog] with the back of your hand, and dogs know this,'he said. 'The trick is not to threaten the dog.'
Herron agrees that dogs do best with more of an indirect approach to petting. She recommends asking the dog's human for permission to pet, then turning to the side and crouching down by bending at the knees, instead of bending over at the waist. Let the dog approach you, then place your hand, palm up, on your thigh. If the dog leans in, scratch him under the chin, chest and sides of the neck. If the dog leans in, then petting its back and sides should also be fine, Herron said. And if a dog rolls over and shows you his belly? Don't be fooled. He is not asking for a belly rub, at least not if it's a dog you don't know well.
'Often, dogs roll over when strangers reach out as a sign they are feeling a bit intimidated and need some space,'Herron said."
"How to Pet a Dog
If you are approaching a dog you don't know, avoid hand movements that could look threatening. Commonly, people reach for the top of a dog's head, however, this can seem threatening to the dog because your hand is reaching over the dog's eyes. Petting a dog on the chin or chest is not nearly as threatening, Klein said.
Also, as a safety measure with a strange dog, if you put your fingers behind its jawbone, the dog can't turn and bite as easily. You also should approach the dog with the back of your hand and him sniff it, Klein said. 'You can't grab [a dog] with the back of your hand, and dogs know this,'he said. 'The trick is not to threaten the dog.'
Herron agrees that dogs do best with more of an indirect approach to petting. She recommends asking the dog's human for permission to pet, then turning to the side and crouching down by bending at the knees, instead of bending over at the waist. Let the dog approach you, then place your hand, palm up, on your thigh. If the dog leans in, scratch him under the chin, chest and sides of the neck. If the dog leans in, then petting its back and sides should also be fine, Herron said. And if a dog rolls over and shows you his belly? Don't be fooled. He is not asking for a belly rub, at least not if it's a dog you don't know well.
'Often, dogs roll over when strangers reach out as a sign they are feeling a bit intimidated and need some space,'Herron said."
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I usually ask, "Is he friendly?" with a smile to let them know that I am "pet friendly".
Marie Marie
Mar 2019
#9
I don't ask, but only because I don't desire to pet strangers' dogs... if I did, I would.
RockRaven
Mar 2019
#10
I ask as its only polite plus every dog is different and not all dogs are friendly to anyone
cstanleytech
Mar 2019
#12
As the mother to 3 wonderful rescued pits - this is the perfect way to ask!
Runningdawg
Mar 2019
#31
We have adopted dogs that were strays, and both have been anxious when approached by a stranger
Bluepinky
Mar 2019
#20
I ALWAYS ask... as the dog may be a working therapy dog and they arent supposed..
samnsara
Mar 2019
#25